Readers reject town centre car park proposals

Readers are up in arms over plans to axe a town centre car park to make way for an office block.

An application has been made to transform the gravel car park in Mile End Road, South Shields, into a two-storey building – as part of the town’s £100million 365 regeneration plan

Coun Lee Hughes.

The application, which has been submitted by Muse Developments LTD and South Tyneside Council, says the building would be used for business offices plus financial and professional services.

However, Coun Lee Hughes says he is curious as to which business would want to be based at the site.

Last week a another application was submitted to transform the former travel agents and snooker hall in Keppel Street, into a three-storey building which will be used for retail, business and financial services.

Coun Hughes said: “I’m not sure where all these business are going to come from to fill out all of these office spaces which may be built. That’s two lots of plans now gone in for office-type buildings.

“We have dozens of empty buildings in the town centre already, nobody is snapping them up, and we have a massive empty building down on the riverside.”

Dozens of readers have taken to the Gazette’s website and Facebook account to express their views on the plans which will be decided at a future planning meeting at Jarrow Town Hall.

Jack Pearce stated: “Pretty ridiculous, there is a massive building beside the Town Hall, ex council offices, just left to ruin, use that, tarmac the car park, and make it free.”

David Barber shared similar views.

He said: “Well, I must agree here, we need more office space, with the old council building (formerly the Co-op) in Westoe Road empty, the Garland building, call centre, call it what you will, empty for how many years? The Central Library building or is that soon to be demolished?”

Tricia Fenwick wondered: “How many empty office buildings does a town need?”

Lunatuna added: “Lots of empty office space in town not being let still why more? If 365 is to help regenerate and bring folk here why cut parking? That’s why we go elsewhere/”

Jason Trotter also wasn’t a fan of the plans. He said: “Stupid idea, there are plenty of old derelict buildings which could be utilised.”

South Tynesider added: “Hardly a car park and you shouldn’t have to pay to park on gravel covered pot holed piece of land but with South Tyneside House still sitting empty we don’t need more office space.”